,,ii ,cal5d> ,no4 #eai #aaf? ,,congress 
#b;d ,session  ,s4 #bdec ,report ,no4   
#aaf-beh ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$
 ,,/ates  ,septemb] #aj1 #bjai,mr4      
,book] 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,isakson1 ,mr4  
,c>p]1 ,mr4 ,rob]ts1 ,mr4 ,blum5?al1 &  
,mr4 ,m>key7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2   
:i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to !          
,committee on ,comm]ce1 ,sci5ce1 &      
,transportation  ,augu/ #ac1            
#bjbj,report$ by ,mr4 ,wick]1 ) an      
amendment,strike out all aft] ! enact+  
clause & ins]t ! "p pr9t$ 9 italic  ,a  
,,bill  ,to assi/ 9 ! cons]vation ( !   
,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale by support+ &   
provid+ f9ancial res\rces = ,nor?       
,atlantic "r :ale cons]vation programs &
 projects ( p]sons ) exp]tise requir$ = 
! cons]vation ( ,nor? ,atlantic "r      
:ales1 & = o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort     
title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z !         
,sci5tific ,assi/ance = ,v ,endang]$    
,nor? ,atlantic ,"r ,:ales ,act ( #bjai 
or ! ,,save ,"r ,:ales ,act4  #b4       
,f9d+s2 s5se ( ,congress  7a7 ,f9d+s    

,congress f9ds t-- 7#a7 ,nor? ,atlantic 
"r :ales 7,eubala5a glacialis7 are      
critically endang]$1 ) approximately    
#djj :ales rema9+ at ! "t ( !           
introduction ( ?is ,act2  7#b7          
hi/orically1 ! ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale  
population 0 decimat$ by ! :al+ indu/ry1
 al?\gh ! :ale population receiv$       
protections f su* indu/ry 9 ! #aicjs2   
7#c7 despite a mode/ recov]y prior to   
#bjaj1 ! ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale is "o (
 ! mo/ endang]$ :ales 9 ! _w & has      
exp]i5c$ a significant decl9e s9ce      
#bjaj2  7#d7 ! ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale  
has be5 li/$ z an endang]$ species "u ! 
,endang]$ ,species ,cons]vation ,act (  
#aifi 7,public ,law #hi-ffi2 #hj ,/at4  
#ibf7 & its successor ! ,endang]$       
,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4    
#aeca et seq47 s9ce #aigj & is designat$
 z deplet$ "u ! ,m>9e ,mammal           
,protection ,act ( #aigb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 
#acfa et seq472  7#e7 because ,nor?     
,atlantic "r :ales are long-liv$ &      
highly migratory1 & at pres5t rates     

females give bir? to a s+le calf only   
once e #d to #aj ye>s1 !y are highly    
vuln]able to ! impacts ( human activity 
& habitat degradation2  7#f7 ,nor?      
,atlantic "r :ales frequ5tly cross pa?s 
) major %ipp+ lanes & fi%+ gr\nds1 leav+
 ! :ales p>ticul>ly vuln]able to vessel 
collisions & fi%+ ge> entanglem5ts1 ! #b
 lead+ causes ( injury & dea? to !      
species2  7#g7 ev5 :5 ,nor? ,atlantic "r
 :ales d n die z a result ( fi%+ ge>    
entanglem5t1 ^? :ales c /ill exp]i5ce   
significant sub-le?al effects su* z     
*ronic /ress & reproductive failure2    
7#h7 9 ,augu/ #bjag1 ! ,national ,m>9e  
,fi%]ies ,s]vice ann\nc$ an unusual     
mortality ev5t involv+ ,nor? ,atlantic  
"r :ales 9 #bjag1 ) #ag kn[n :ale dea?s 
t ye> alone2  7#i7 z ( ,augu/ #bjai1 su*
 ongo+ unusual mortality ev5t includes !
 loss ( at lea/ #bh :ales1 a significant
 die-(f ( a population &1 "u ! ,m>9e    
,mammal ,protection ,act ( #aigb 7#af   
,u4,s4,c4 #acfa et seq471 dem&s an      
imm$iate response2  7#aj7 bas$ on !     

curr5t rate ( mortality ( ,nor?         
,atlantic "r :ales1 & because ( ! small 
numb] ( bre$+ females 9 ! population &  
l[ bir? rates1 rec5t analysis sugge/s ! 
species w lose its ability to recov] 9  
m]ely a few decades if human-caus$      
mortality is n r$uc$ imm$iately2  7#aa7 
"u ! ,m>9e ,mammal ,protection ,act (   
#aigb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #acfa et seq471    
,unit$ ,/ates fi%]m5 9 c]ta9 locations h
 be5 requir$ to modify _! fi%+ ge> &    
behavior to m9imize ! likelihood (      
entanglem5ts1 includ+ by us+ s9k+       
gr\ndl9es1 hav+ weak l9ks 9 buoy l9es1  
us+ multiple traps p] buoy1             
appropriately m>k+ fi%+ ge>1 & comply+ )
 seasonal area-specific closures 9 ,nor?
 ,atlantic "r :ale habitats2  7#ab7     
vessels 9 ,unit$ ,/ates wat]s t are #fe 
feet or m 9 l5g? h be5 requir$ to comply
 ) a seasonal #aj-knot spe$ limit 9     
c]ta9 locations to r$uce ! ?reat (      
vessel collisions2 &  7#ac7 ,nor?       
,atlantic "r :ales are n[ migrat+ f>!r  
nor? into ,canadian wat]s & !re h be5 at

 lea/ #bj ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale dea?s 
9 ,canada's ,gulf ( ,/4 ,lawr5ce betwe5 
#bjag & #bjai1 z well z #h docum5t$     
dea?s ( su* :ales 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates     
wat]s 9 #bjag & #bjah4  7b7 ,s5se (     
,congress ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t--  
7#a7 ! ,gov]nm5ts ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates &   
,canada mu/ "w toge!r to r$uce le?al &  
sub-le?al effects ( human activities on 
,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales2 &  7#b7       
effectively address+ ! ?reats to !      
long-t]m viability ( ! ,nor? ,atlantic  
"r :ales w require a jo9t commitm5t &   
ef=t f gov]nm5t entities1 local         
communities1 m>9e sci5ti/s &            
cons]vationi/s1 fi%]m51 own]s & op]ators
 ( pass5g] vessels & o!rs 9 ! %ipp+     
indu/ry1 & o!r /akehold]s4  #c4         
,purposes ,! purposes ( ?is ,act are !  
foll[+3 7#a7 ,to rebuild heal?y         
populations ( ! ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale4
  7#b7 ,to assi/ 9 ! cons]vation &      
protection ( ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales by
 support+ ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale       
cons]vation programs t m9imize conflicts

 betwe5 ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales & human
 activities4  7#c7 ,to provide f9ancial 
res\rces = ^? programs4  ,i ,nor?       
,atlantic ,"r ,:ale ,cons]vation  #aja4 
,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale cons]vation     
assi/ance  7a7 ,assi/ance  7#a7 ,9 g5]al
 ,subject to ! availability ( funds & 9 
consultation ) o!r ,f$]al (ficials1 !   
,secret>y ( ,comm]ce 79 ?is title ref]r$
 to z ! ,secret>y7 %all provide         
competitive f9ancial assi/ance1 includ+ 
multiye> grants1 = projects = !         
cons]vation ( ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales =
 :i* project proposals are approv$ by ! 
,secret>y 9 accordance ) ?is section4   
7#b7 ,use ( exi/+ au?orities ,assi/ance 
provid$ "u ?is section %all be c>ri$ out
 9 a mann] consi/5t ) au?orities        
available to ! ,secret>y "u ! ,endang]$ 
,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4    
#aeca et seq47 & ! ,m>9e ,mammal        
,protection ,act ( #aigb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 
#acfa et seq474  7b7 ,project proposals 
7#a7 ,eligible applicants ,a project    
proposal may be submitt$ to ! ,secret>y 

"u ?is section by-- 7,a7 relevant ,/ate 
& tribal ag5cies1 rese>* in/itutions1 & 
nonpr(it organizations ) exp]tise       
requir$ = ! cons]vation ( ,nor?         
,atlantic "r :ales2 &  7,b7 any o!r     
individual or entity1 z det]m9$         
appropriate by ! ,secret>y1 ) ! exp]tise
 requir$ = ! cons]vation ( ,nor?        
,atlantic "r :ales1 includ+ l>ge :ale   
dis5tanglem5t teams approv$ by !        
,national ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic        
,adm9i/ration & memb]s 9 good /&+ ( !   
,national ,m>9e ,mammal ,heal? & ,/r&+  
,response ,program1 sectors ( ! %ipp+ & 
fi%+ indu/ries1 fi%+ ge> manufactur]s1 &
 rope manufactur]s4  7#b7 ,f$]al        
p>tn]%ip opportunities ,a ,f$]al ag5cy  
may n be a lead entity or receive fund+ 
= a project "u ?is section1 b may be    
includ$ z a p>tn] or collaborator on a  
project t receives su* fund+4  7#c7     
,requir$ elem5ts ,a project proposal    
%all include-- 7,a7 a /atem5t ( !       
purposes ( ! project2  7,b7 ! "n ( !    
entity or individual ) ov]all           

responsibility = ! project2  7,c7 a     
description ( ! qualifications ( !      
entity or individuals t w conduct !     
project2  7,d7 a description (-- 7i7    
me?ods = project implem5tation & outcome
 assessm5t2  7ii7 /aff+ & /akehold]     
engagem5t = ! project2  7iii7 ! logi/ics
 ( ! project2  7iv7 an e/imat$ timel9e =
 ! project2 &  7v7 anticipat$ outcomes (
 ! project2  7,e7 a propos$ budget = !  
funds & "t requir$ to complete !        
project2  7,f7 in=mation reg>d+ ! s\rce 
& am\nt ( mat*+ fund+ available = !     
project2  7,g7 in=mation t demon/rates !
 cle> pot5tial ( ! project to contribute
 to ! cons]vation ( ,nor? ,atlantic "r  
:ales2 &  7,h7 any o!r in=mation t !    
,secret>y consid]s to be necess>y =     
evaluat+ ! eligibility ( ! project =    
fund+ "u ?is ,act4  7c7 ,annual grant   
project proposal solicitation1 review1 &
 approval  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y   
%all annually-- 7,a7 solicit project    
proposals = grants "u ?is section2  7,b7
 provide to o!r ,f$]al (ficials1 z      

appropriate1 copies ( ea* proposal      
submitt$ 9 response to ! solicitation2 &
  7,c7 review ea* su* proposal on a     
"tl9e t recognizes ! urg5cy ( ! decl9+  
,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale population to   
det]m9e :e!r ! proposal meets ! crit]ia 
specifi$ 9 subsection 7d74  7#b7        
,consultation2 approval or disapproval  
,subject to ! availability ( funds1 !   
,secret>y %all1 ) respect to ea* project
 proposal submitt$ "u ?is section1 &    
aft] consult+ ) o!r ,f$]al (ficials1 z  
appropriate-- 7,a7 consult ) respect to 
! proposal ) ! gov]nm5t ( ea* ,/ate &   
=eign c\ntry 9 :i* ! project is to be   
conduct$2  7,b7 aft] tak+ into          
consid]ation any comm5ts result+ f !    
consultation & any pot5tial losses t    
c\ld be incurr$ to ! fi%+ indu/ry z a   
result ( ! proposal1 approve or         
disapprove ! proposal2 &  7,c7 provide  
writt5 notification ( ! approval or     
disapproval to ! individual or entity t 
submitt$ ! proposal1 o!r ,f$]al         
(ficials1 & ea* ,/ate & =eign c\ntry    

describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a74  7d7       
,crit]ia = approval ,! ,secret>y may    
approve a project proposal "u ?is       
section if ! project %[s promise =      
contribut+ to recov]+ & su/a9+ a viable 
population ( ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales 9 
! wild by assi/+ ef=ts to-- 7#a7        
implem5t cons]vation programs2  7#b7    
address ! un9t5tional conflicts betwe5  
humans & ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales ?r\gh 
developm5t1 te/+1 & use ( innovative    
te*nology or o!r me?ods to r$uce ! le?al
 & sub-le?al effects on ,nor? ,atlantic 
"r :ales f vessel collisions & fi%+ ge> 
entanglem5ts2  7#c7 promote coop]ative  
projects on su* topics ) =eign          
gov]nm5ts2 or  7#d7 promote coop]ative  
projects on su* topics ) affect$ local  
communities1 small bus9esses su* z      
fi%]m51 o!rs 9 ! private sector1 or     
nongov]nm5tal organizations4  7e7       
,priority ,to ! ext5t practicable1 9    
det]m9+ :e!r to approve project         
proposals "u ?is section1 ! ,secret>y   
%all prioritize projects t are design$  

to r$uce ! le?al & sub-le?al effects (  
human activities on ,nor? ,atlantic "r  
:ales4 ,9 prioritiz+ su* projects1 !    
,secret>y %all prioritize1 among su*    
projects1 projects t are coop]ative 9   
nature & include fi%+ or %ipp+ sector   
p>ticipants4  7f7 ,mat*+ requirem5t     
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ 9       
p>agraph 7#c71 ! non-,f$]al %>e ( ! co/s
 ( an activity conduct$ ) f9ancial      
assi/ance "u ?is section %all be #be    
p]c5t ( su* co/s4  7#b7 ,9-k9d          
contributions ,! ,secret>y may apply to 
! non-,f$]al %>e ( an activity conduct$ 
) f9ancial assi/ance "u ?is section !   
am\nt ( funds1 & ! fair m>ket value (   
prop]ty & s]vices1 provid$ by non-,f$]al
 s\rces & us$ = ! activity4  7#c7 ,waiv]
 ( requirem5ts ,! ,secret>y may waive ! 
application ( p>agraph 7#a7 if !        
,secret>y f9ds t su* waiv] is necess>y  
to support a cons]vation project t !    
,secret>y has id5tifi$ z ( high         
priority4  7g7 ,project report+  7#a7 ,9
 g5]al ,ea* individual or entity t      

receives assi/ance "u ?is section = a   
project %all submit to ! ,secret>y      
p]iodic reports 7at su* int]vals z !    
,secret>y may require7 t include all    
in=mation t ! ,secret>y1 aft]           
consultation ) o!r gov]nm5t (ficials1   
det]m9es is necess>y to evaluate !      
progress & success ( ! project = !      
purposes ( ensur+ positive results1     
assess+ problems1 & fo/]+ improvem5ts4  
7#b7 ,availability to ! public ,reports 
"u p>agraph 7#a71 & any o!r docum5ts    
relat+ to projects = :i* f9ancial       
assi/ance is provid$ "u ?is ,act1 %all  
be made available to ! public 9 a timely
 mann]4  #ajb4 ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale  
int]ag5cy budget  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,!       
,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,managem5t &     
,budget %all include1 9 ! budget ( !    
,presid5t submitt$ to ,congress "u      
section #aaje7;a7 ( title #ca1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 = fiscal ye> #bjba & ea*  
fiscal ye> !reaft]1 an int]ag5cy budget 
t displays = ea* ,f$]al ag5cy t engages 
9 ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale activities--  

7#a7 ! am\nt ( appropriations &         
exp5ditures = ! prec$+ fiscal ye> = su* 
activities & a description ( su*        
activities2  7#b7 ! e/imat$ am\nt to be 
exp5d$ dur+ ! curr5t fiscal ye> = su*   
activities & a description ( su*        
activities2 &  7#c7 ! am\nt e/imat$ to  
be necess>y = ! next fiscal ye> = su*   
activities & a description ( su*        
activities4  7b7 ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale
 activities def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m 
,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale activities means
 any activity ( a ,f$]al ag5cy to /udy1 
obs]ve1 monitor1 manage1 protect1       
cons]ve1 or re/ore ! ,nor? ,atlantic "r 
:ale population ?r\gh direct or indirect
 means1 includ+ ?r\gh ! provision (     
competitive f9ancial assi/ance to       
non-,f$]al entities4  #ajc4 ,report to  
,congress ,n lat] ?an #b ye>s aft] !    
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & annually
 !reaft]1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to    
,congress a report on ! results &       
effectiv5ess ( projects receiv+         
assi/ance provid$ "u ?is title1 includ+ 

recomm5dations conc]n+ h[ ?is title     
might be improv$ & :e!r fund+ = ?is     
title %\ld be cont9u$ 9 ! future4  #ajd4
 ,fund+  7a7 ,au?orization (            
appropriations  7#a7 ,au?orization ,!re 
is au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to !      
,secret>y to c>ry out ?is title         
#e1jjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjai    
?r\gh #bjbi4  7#b7 ,adm9i/rative exp5ses
 ,( ! am\nts au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ 
"u ?is subsection = a fiscal ye>1 !     
,secret>y may exp5d n m ?an #e p]c5t1 or
 up to #hj1jjj1 :i*ev] is great]1 to pay
 ! adm9i/rative exp5ses necess>y to c>ry
 out ?is ,act4  7#c7 ,supplem5t n       
supplant ,! am\nt au?oriz$ to be        
appropriat$ by p>agraph 7#a7 %all       
supplem5t & n supplant o!r am\nts       
available to ! ,secret>y4  7b7          
,acceptance & use ( donations ,!        
,secret>y may accept1 receive1 solicit1 
hold1 adm9i/]1 & use any gift1 devise1  
or beque/ to provide assi/ance "u       
section #ajb4  ,,ii ,cont9u\s ,plankton 
,record]  #bja4 ,survey  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n

 lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( !     
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & on an ongo+ basis
 !reaft]1 ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce %all   
conduct a cont9u\s plankton record]     
survey4  7b7 ,requir$ elem5ts ,= !      
purpose ( conduct+ ! survey requir$ "u  
subsection 7a71 ! ,nor!a/ ,fi%]ies      
,sci5ce ,c5t] %all-- 7#a7 to ! ext5t    
possible1 utilize ! res\rces ( & p>tn]  
)1 on a volunte] basis1 rese>*          
in/itutions1 nonpr(it organizations1    
comm]cial vessels1 & o!r ,f$]al ag5cies2
  7#b7 9 z %ort a "t z possible1 ensure 
relevant survey samples & results are   
analyz$1 /or$1 ar*iv$1 & made publicly  
available2  7#c7 prioritize ! collection
 ( plankton samples & data t in=m !     
cons]vation ( ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales2 
&  7#d7 to ! ext5t practicable1         
coord9ate ) ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,canada to    
develop a transb\nd>y und]/&+ ( plankton
 abundance & di/ribution4  7c7          
,au?orization ( appropriations ,to c>ry 
out ?is section !re is au?oriz$ to be   
appropriat$ to ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce   

#cjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjai ?r\gh
 #bjbi4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may  
be cit$ z ! ,sci5tific ,assi/ance = ,v  
,endang]$ ,nor? ,atlantic ,"r ,:ales    
,act ( #bjai or ! ,,save ,"r ,:ales     
,act4  #b4 ,f9d+s2 s5se ( ,congress  7a7
 ,f9d+s ,congress f9ds t-- 7#a7 ,nor?   
,atlantic "r :ales 7,eubala5a glacialis7
 are critically endang]$1 )             
approximately #djj :ales rema9+ at ! "t 
( ! introduction ( ?is ,act2  7#b7      
hi/orically1 ! ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale  
population 0 decimat$ by ! :al+ indu/ry1
 al?\gh ! :ale population receiv$       
protections f su* indu/ry 9 ! #aicjs2   
7#c7 despite a mode/ recov]y prior to   
#bjaj1 ! ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale is "o (
 ! mo/ endang]$ :ales 9 ! _w & has      
exp]i5c$ a significant decl9e s9ce      
#bjaj2  7#d7 ! ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale  
has be5 li/$ z an endang]$ species "u ! 
,endang]$ ,species ,cons]vation ,act (  
#aifi 7,public ,law #hi-ffi2 #hj ,/at4  
#ibf7 & its successor ! ,endang]$       
,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4    

#aeca et seq47 s9ce #aigj & is designat$
 z deplet$ "u ! ,m>9e ,mammal           
,protection ,act ( #aigb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 
#acfa et seq472  7#e7 because ,nor?     
,atlantic "r :ales are long-liv$ &      
highly migratory1 & at pres5t rates     
females give bir? to a s+le calf only   
once e #d to #aj ye>s1 !y are highly    
vuln]able to ! impacts ( human activity 
& habitat degradation2  7#f7 ,nor?      
,atlantic "r :ales frequ5tly cross pa?s 
) major %ipp+ lanes & fi%+ gr\nds1 leav+
 ! :ales p>ticul>ly vuln]able to vessel 
collisions & fi%+ ge> entanglem5ts1 ! #b
 lead+ causes ( injury & dea? to !      
species2  7#g7 ev5 :5 ,nor? ,atlantic "r
 :ales d n die z a result ( fi%+ ge>    
entanglem5t1 ^? :ales c /ill exp]i5ce   
significant sub-le?al effects su* z     
*ronic /ress & reproductive failure2    
7#h7 9 ,augu/ #bjag1 ! ,national ,m>9e  
,fi%]ies ,s]vice ann\nc$ an unusual     
mortality ev5t involv+ ,nor? ,atlantic  
"r :ales 9 #bjag1 ) #ag kn[n :ale dea?s 
t ye> alone2  7#i7 z ( ,augu/ #bjai1 su*

 ongo+ unusual mortality ev5t includes !
 loss ( at lea/ #bh :ales1 a significant
 die-(f ( a population &1 "u ! ,m>9e    
,mammal ,protection ,act ( #aigb 7#af   
,u4,s4,c4 #acfa et seq471 dem&s an      
imm$iate response2  7#aj7 bas$ on !     
curr5t rate ( mortality ( ,nor?         
,atlantic "r :ales1 & because ( ! small 
numb] ( bre$+ females 9 ! population &  
l[ bir? rates1 rec5t analysis sugge/s ! 
species w lose its ability to recov] 9  
m]ely a few decades if human-caus$      
mortality is n r$uc$ imm$iately2  7#aa7 
"u ! ,m>9e ,mammal ,protection ,act (   
#aigb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #acfa et seq471    
,unit$ ,/ates fi%]m5 9 c]ta9 locations h
 be5 requir$ to modify _! fi%+ ge> &    
behavior to m9imize ! likelihood (      
entanglem5ts1 includ+ by us+ s9k+       
gr\ndl9es1 hav+ weak l9ks 9 buoy l9es1  
us+ multiple traps p] buoy1             
appropriately m>k+ fi%+ ge>1 & comply+ )
 seasonal area-specific closures 9 ,nor?
 ,atlantic "r :ale habitats2  7#ab7     
vessels 9 ,unit$ ,/ates wat]s t are #fe 

feet or m 9 l5g? h be5 requir$ to comply
 ) a seasonal#aj-knot spe$ limit 9 c]ta9
 locations to r$uce ! ?reat ( vessel    
collisions2 &  7#ac7 ,nor? ,atlantic "r 
:ales are n[ migrat+ f>!r nor? into     
,canadian wat]s & !re h be5 at lea/ #bj 
,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale dea?s 9         
,canada's ,gulf ( ,/4 ,lawr5ce betwe5   
#bjag & #bjai1 z well z #h docum5t$     
dea?s ( su* :ales 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates     
wat]s 9 #bjag & #bjah4  7b7 ,s5se (     
,congress ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t--  
7#a7 ! ,gov]nm5ts ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates &   
,canada mu/ "w toge!r to r$uce le?al &  
sub-le?al effects ( human activities on 
,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales2 &  7#b7       
effectively address+ ! ?reats to !      
long-t]m viability ( ! ,nor? ,atlantic  
"r :ales w require a jo9t commitm5t &   
ef=t f gov]nm5t entities1 local         
communities1 m>9e sci5ti/s &            
cons]vationi/s1 fi%]m51 own]s & op]ators
 ( pass5g] vessels & o!rs 9 ! %ipp+     
indu/ry1 & o!r /akehold]s4  #c4         
,purposes ,! purposes ( ?is ,act are !  

foll[+3 7#a7 ,to rebuild heal?y         
populations ( ! ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale4
  7#b7 ,to assi/ 9 ! cons]vation &      
protection ( ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales by
 support+ ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ale       
cons]vation programs t m9imize conflicts
 betwe5 ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales & human
 activities4  ,i ,nor? ,atlantic ,"r    
,:ale ,cons]vation  #aja4 ,nor?         
,atlantic "r :ale cons]vation assi/ance 
7a7 ,assi/ance  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,subject  
to ! availability ( funds & 9           
consultation ) o!r ,f$]al (ficials1 !   
,secret>y ( ,comm]ce 79 ?is title ref]r$
 to z ! ,secret>y7 %all provide         
competitive f9ancial assi/ance1 includ+ 
multiye> grants1 = projects design$ to  
r$uce ! le?al & sub-le?al effects (     
human activities on ,nor? ,atlantic "r  
:ales = :i* project proposals are       
approv$ by ! ,secret>y 9 accordance )   
?is section4  7#b7 ,use ( exi/+         
au?orities ,assi/ance provid$ "u ?is    
section %all be c>ri$ out 9 a mann]     
consi/5t ) au?orities available to !    

,secret>y "u ! ,endang]$ ,species ,act (
 #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aeca et seq47 & !
 ,m>9e ,mammal ,protection ,act ( #aigb 
7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #acfa et seq474  7b7     
,project proposals  7#a7 ,eligible      
applicants ,a project proposal may be   
submitt$ to ! ,secret>y "u ?is section  
by-- 7,a7 relevant ,/ate & tribal       
ag5cies1 rese>* in/itutions1 & nonpr(it 
organizations ) exp]tise requir$ = !    
cons]vation ( ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales2 
&  7,b7 any o!r individual or entity1 z 
det]m9$ appropriate by ! ,secret>y1 ) ! 
exp]tise requir$ = ! cons]vation ( ,nor?
 ,atlantic "r :ales1 includ+ l>ge :ale  
dis5tanglem5t teams approv$ by !        
,national ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic        
,adm9i/ration & memb]s 9 good /&+ ( !   
,national ,m>9e ,mammal ,heal? & ,/r&+  
,response ,program1 sectors ( ! %ipp+ & 
fi%+ indu/ries1 fi%+ ge> manufactur]s1 &
 rope manufactur]s4  7#b7 ,f$]al        
p>tn]%ip opportunities ,a ,f$]al ag5cy  
may n be a lead entity or receive fund+ 
= a project "u ?is section1 b may be    

includ$ z a p>tn] or collaborator on a  
project t receives su* fund+4  7c7      
,annual grant project proposal          
solicitation1 review1 & approval  7#a7  
,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all annually--   
7,a7 solicit project proposals = grants 
"u ?is section2  7,b7 provide to o!r    
,f$]al (ficials1 z appropriate1 copies (
 ea* proposal submitt$ 9 response to !  
solicitation2 &  7,c7 review ea* su*    
proposal on a "tl9e t recognizes !      
urg5cy ( ! decl9+ ,nor? ,atlantic "r    
:ale population to det]m9e :e!r !       
proposal meets ! crit]ia specifi$ 9     
subsection 7d74  7#b7 ,consultation2    
approval or disapproval ,subject to !   
availability ( funds1 ! ,secret>y %all1 
) respect to ea* project proposal       
submitt$ "u ?is section1 & aft] consult+
 ) o!r ,f$]al (ficials1 z appropriate-- 
7,a7 consult ) respect to ! proposal ) !
 gov]nm5t ( ea* ,/ate & =eign c\ntry 9  
:i* ! project is to be conduct$2  7,b7  
aft] tak+ into consid]ation any comm5ts 
result+ f ! consultation & any pot5tial 

losses t c\ld be incurr$ to ! fi%+      
indu/ry z a result ( ! proposal1 approve
 or disapprove ! proposal2 &  7,c7      
provide writt5 notification ( ! approval
 or disapproval to ! individual or      
entity t submitt$ ! proposal1 o!r ,f$]al
 (ficials1 & ea* ,/ate & =eign c\ntry   
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a74  7d7       
,crit]ia = approval ,! ,secret>y may    
approve a project proposal "u ?is       
section t is likely to aid 9 ! recov]y &
 su/a9ability ( a viable population (   
,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales 9 ! wild by    
assi/+ ef=ts to-- 7#a7 implem5t         
cons]vation programs2  7#b7 address !   
un9t5tional conflicts betwe5 humans &   
,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales ?r\gh          
developm5t1 te/+1 & use ( innovative    
te*nology or o!r me?ods to r$uce ! le?al
 & sub-le?al effects on ,nor? ,atlantic 
"r :ales f vessel collisions & fi%+ ge> 
entanglem5ts2  7#c7 promote coop]ative  
projects on su* topics ) =eign          
gov]nm5ts2 or  7#d7 promote coop]ative  
projects on su* topics ) affect$ local  

communities1 small bus9esses su* z      
fi%]m51 o!rs 9 ! private sector1 or     
nongov]nm5tal organizations4  7e7       
,priority ,to ! ext5t practicable1 9    
det]m9+ :e!r to approve project         
proposals "u ?is section1 ! ,secret>y   
%all prioritize projects t are design$  
to r$uce ! le?al & sub-le?al effects (  
human activities on ,nor? ,atlantic "r  
:ales4 ,9 prioritiz+ su* projects1 !    
,secret>y %all prioritize1 among su*    
projects1 projects t are coop]ative 9   
nature & include fi%+ or %ipp+ sector   
p>ticipants4  7f7 ,mat*+ requirem5t     
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ 9       
p>agraph 7#c71 ! non-,f$]al %>e ( ! co/s
 ( an activity conduct$ ) f9ancial      
assi/ance "u ?is section %all be #be    
p]c5t ( su* co/s4  7#b7 ,9-k9d          
contributions ,! ,secret>y may apply to 
! non-,f$]al %>e ( an activity conduct$ 
) f9ancial assi/ance "u ?is section !   
am\nt ( funds1 & ! fair m>ket value (   
prop]ty & s]vices1 provid$ by non-,f$]al
 s\rces & us$ = ! activity4  7#c7 ,waiv]

 ( requirem5ts ,! ,secret>y may waive ! 
application ( p>agraph 7#a7 if !        
,secret>y f9ds t su* waiv] is necess>y  
to support a cons]vation project t !    
,secret>y has id5tifi$ z ( high         
priority4  7g7 ,project report+  7#a7 ,9
 g5]al ,ea* individual or entity t      
receives assi/ance "u ?is section = a   
project %all submit to ! ,secret>y      
p]iodic reports 7at su* int]vals z !    
,secret>y may require7 t include all    
in=mation t ! ,secret>y1 aft]           
consultation ) o!r gov]nm5t (ficials1   
det]m9es is necess>y to evaluate !      
progress & success ( ! project = !      
purposes ( ensur+ positive results1     
assess+ problems1 & fo/]+ improvem5ts4  
7#b7 ,availability to ! public ,reports 
"u p>agraph 7#a71 & any o!r docum5ts    
relat+ to projects = :i* f9ancial       
assi/ance is provid$ "u ?is ,act1 %all  
be made available to ! public 9 a timely
 mann]4  #ajb4 ,report to ,congress ,n  
lat] ?an #b ye>s aft] ! date ( !        
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & e #e ye>s        

!reaft]1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to     
,congress a report on ! results &       
effectiv5ess ( projects receiv+         
assi/ance provid$ "u ?is title1 includ+ 
recomm5dations conc]n+ h[ ?is title     
might be improv$ & :e!r fund+ = ?is     
title %\ld be cont9u$ 9 ! future4  #ajc4
 ,fund+  7a7 ,au?orization (            
appropriations  7#a7 ,au?orization ,!re 
is au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to !      
,secret>y to c>ry out ?is title         
#e1jjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjai    
?r\gh #bjbi4  7#b7 ,adm9i/rative exp5ses
 ,( ! am\nts au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ 
"u ?is subsection = a fiscal ye>1 !     
,secret>y may exp5d n m ?an #e p]c5t1 or
 up to #hj1jjj1 :i*ev] is great]1 to pay
 ! adm9i/rative exp5ses necess>y to c>ry
 out ?is ,act4  7#c7 ,supplem5t n       
supplant ,! am\nt au?oriz$ to be        
appropriat$ by p>agraph 7#a7 %all       
supplem5t & n supplant o!r am\nts       
available to ! ,secret>y4  7b7          
,acceptance & use ( donations ,!        
,secret>y may accept1 receive1 solicit1 

hold1 adm9i/]1 & use any gift1 devise1  
or beque/ to provide assi/ance "u       
section #aja4  ,,ii ,cont9u\s ,plankton 
,record]  #bja4 ,survey  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n
 lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( !     
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & on an ongo+ basis
 !reaft]1 ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce %all   
conduct a ,cont9u\s ,plankton ,record]  
survey4  7b7 ,requir$ elem5ts ,= !      
purpose ( conduct+ ! survey requir$ "u  
subsection 7a71 ! ,nor!a/ ,fi%]ies      
,sci5ce ,c5t] %all-- 7#a7 to ! ext5t    
possible1 utilize ! res\rces ( & p>tn]  
)1 on a volunte] basis1 rese>*          
in/itutions1 nonpr(it organizations1    
comm]cial vessels1 & o!r ,f$]al ag5cies2
  7#b7 9 z %ort a "t z possible1 ensure 
relevant survey samples & results are   
analyz$1 /or$1 ar*iv$1 & made publicly  
available2  7#c7 prioritize ! collection
 ( plankton samples & data t in=m !     
cons]vation ( ,nor? ,atlantic "r :ales2 
&  7#d7 to ! ext5t practicable1         
coord9ate ) ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,canada to    
develop a transb\nd>y und]/&+ ( plankton

 abundance & di/ribution4  7c7          
,au?orization ( ,appropriations ,to c>ry
 out ?is section !re is au?oriz$ to be  
appropriat$ to ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce   
#cjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjai ?r\gh
 #bjbi4  ,augu/ #ac1 #bjbj,report$ ) an 
am5dm5t